Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

The Gospel of this second Sunday of Ordinary Time continues the theme of the end of Christmas - revelation. Jesus is re­vealed to the world by his birth, by his baptism, and by his miracles - the “signs" as John calls them. The wedding in today's Gospel is interpreted in many ways: today, reading the Gospel with the First Reading in mind, we can see it as an image of the way in which God is so close to his people, it is as though he is married to them. Thus Jesus, the spouse of the people, shows God's close­ness by revealing his glory in this miracle.

Notes for Readers

First Reading: Isaiah 62:1-5

This is a promise of glorious days to come: Israel is in hard times at the moment, so this glowing promise was to lift their hearts and make them look to God as their help. It begins with a firm and deter­mined declaration: "About Zion I will not be silent". Let the first four lines stand alone, before you read the prophecy. Remember that the tone of the reading is exultant. It is a great hymn of comfort and encouragement. Allow this to come out in your reading. Use the words: think about putting colour into words like "glory", "crown ", "splendour", "princely". For the list of nicknames, be care­ful to pause for a second just before the word in inverted commas, so that peo­ple know that it is a name given to the people. Save a little something for the last line - "So will your God rejoice in you." Think of the image of God being presented, and make sure you use words like "rejoice" to their full effect.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Saint Paul is explaining how the community of the Church should func­tion - this is in the context of disputes and arguments in Corinth. Today he is explaining that the Holy Spirit "orders" the Church by giving different gifts to different people - so that everyone can play their part in the life of the commu­nity. It might be a useful aid to think about the congregation sitting in front of you during this reading: they are the members of the community of your parish, to whom the Spirit gives these gifts. Paul is reasoning carefully, so take it slowly, and make sure you un­derstand his argument, so that your lis­teners may do the same. Be careful not to rush through the list of gifts and ministries.

Pieter Pourbus "The Last Judgment"

From the Catechism

The final tribulation and Christ’s return in glory

CCC 668-677, 769

“Come, Lord Jesus!”

CCC 451, 671, 1130, 1403, 2817

Humble vigilance of heart

CCC 2729-2733

1130: “The Church celebrates the mystery of her Lord "until he comes," when God will be "everything to everyone." Since the apostolic age the liturgy has been drawn toward its goal by the Spirit's groaning in the Church: Marana tha! The liturgy thus shares in Jesus' desire: "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you . . . until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." In the sacraments of Christ the Church already receives the guarantee of her inheritance and even now shares in everlasting life, while "awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus." The "Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come . . . Come, Lord Jesus!'"

Gospel Wordsearch

Click on the box to the left to get this week's Gospel based Wordsearch. Feel free to copy and paste it into your parish publications.